Friday, May 31, 2013

Community energy and pro renewable NGOs are calling for the Federal
government to establish a $50 million fund that would seek to leverage
up to half a billion dollar of investment in community-owned renewable
energy projects.

The call for a Community Energy Grant Fund is an attempt to offer a
catalyst for growing community interest in renewable energy projects,
and to fill in a gap in the country’s portfolio of renewable energy
projects of between 10kW and 50MW.

"Shared renewable energy in California just received a resounding
endorsement, with SB 43 passing the Senate with a comfortable 27-9 vote!"

"The
author, Senator Wolk, worked late into the night to craft amendments
with Senator Padilla to ensure there will be no cost shifting to
non-participants."

"SB 43 creates a 500MW
program allowing customers to subscribe to shared renewable facilities,
and get a credit for what that energy is worth on their bill. 20% of
the program set aside as a minimum to be built in environmental justice
areas, and 20% is set aside as a minimum to be available to residential
customers. Many thanks to the more than 50 organizations, public
bodies, businesses and others who are on record in support of the bill."

"Now
( catch your breath ) we have to put all our energy into ensuring that
the companion measure, AB 1014, also passes comfortably. Please, if you
haven't already done so, contact your assembly member and urge them to
vote yes on AB 1014. That vote will most likely happen tomorrow."

"Thanks again for all your support of bringing renewable energy to every Californian."

--------------------------------------------------------------------

And this just in:

"We're now 2 for 2---our AB 1014 just passed the Assembly on a lopsided 49-15 vote. "

"That
means both of our bills have left their original chamber, and are now
over to the other--SB 43 will be taken up in the Assembly in June, and
AB 1014 by the Senate. They have distinct approaches, but both solve
the same problem--letting people who can't buy renewable energy because
they don't have a place to physically install it to instead virtually
install it on their power bill."

"When
adopted, either measure would create about 500MW of new clean energy, as
well as around 6,500 jobs, generate $60M in new taxes, and create $2B
in economic activity, and do it all without a penny of state incentives."

"Pardon the obvious pun, but it's a sunny day in the Golden state for renewable energy."

[ I'm quoted in the article: “Now everybody can go solar. You don’t have to have a sunny roof. You
don’t have to own your own roof. You can take your subscription with you
when you move.” Hughes said, listing some of solar gardens’ benefits. ]

Monday, May 27, 2013

There’s been a lot of talk lately about net metering. What’s so special about net metering, and why all the fuss?

Net metering is a simple concept that’s policy in 43 states. It’s like rollover minutes on a cell phone bill -- it lets utility customers who install solar systems feed energy they generate into the grid if they don’t need it at the time they’re generating it. They get the fun of watching their meter run backwards, and they get a credit on their power bill for that excess energy, which they can use when the sun goes down. The question, though, is what constitutes fair credit, and whether net metering customers are passing on to other customers an unfair burden of transmission and distribution charges.

As you can imagine, perspectives on this issue vary. Some are predictable, others not so much.

The utility death spiral

Let’s start with utilities, who are on the predictable end of the spectrum. After all, when utility customers generate their own power, those customers end up paying a lot less to the utility. And utilities are set up to make substantial profits from large infrastructure investments. Net metering poses a threat to that business model.

This threat has been getting a lot of attention. One of the most thoughtful writers on the subject, David Roberts, says of utilities’ “path to obsolescence,” “From the utility’s point of view, every kilowatt-hour of rooftop solar looks like a kilowatt-hour of reduced demand for the utility’s product.” And that’s not just any product: because solar panels produce the most at peak rate times, solar reduces demand for a utility’s “most valuable product.”

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Representatives
from local businesses, government agencies, educational institutions,
residents of Harlem, and other stakeholders will have a discussion about
the current and future challenges and opportunities for Harlem to
participate in the “Green Economy.” The forum will be divided into five
areas covering the following: “Defining the "Green Economy‟ in Harlem;”
“Local "Green Economy‟ Policy;” “Green Economy Opportunities for
Existing Businesses and Individuals;” “Starting "Green Economy‟
Businesses in Harlem;” and “Promoting Environmental Stewardship Through
Educational Opportunities.”

More information as it becomes available. If you are in California, call your senator to support SB43 and representative to support AB1014 preferentially, and if they won't support that one, AB1295. Report your support to http://casharedrenewables.org and to policy@solargardens.org

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Denver Solar Gardens Discussion May 28 - Mercury Cafe

7-9 PM, 2199 California St Denver, CO 80205

We'll be using this informal time to discuss how to take community
solar to the next level while keeping it real. If you'd like to attend,
please send a message torsvp@solargardens.org so we can make reservations.

SGI Regional Group for Colorado
- The Solar Gardens Institute started in Colorado, but has gone
national and even worldwide. It's time to strengthen our roots back
home.

Solar and Fracking - Solar Power
will reduce the total use of fossil fuels. But will high solar
penetration increase the use of natural gas? Not if we do it right.

Community Shared Solar Policy
- I've been selected as a reviewer for the Interstate Renewable Energy
Council (IREC) Model Rules for Shared Renewable Energy Programs.

Solar garden participation for low income subscribers.
- Five percent of solar garden capacity in Colorado is reserved for
customers with incomes below 185% of the poverty line. Learn about
financial models for making this possible.

Donations
to SGI through the Equable Community Solar Fund are now tax
deductible! Any donation of $1 or more will qualify you for SGI
membership (though of course we hope you donate more than a dollar).
The Community Power Networkis our fiscal sponsor.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The momentum for a big push into community solar projects appears to be gathering pace, with several different organisations planning public launches in the next month, and suggestions that several dozen projects could be built on NSW rooftops in coming years.

Among plans revealed this week are the launch of a community solar network Farming the Sun in the northern Rivers region, to be followed soon by similar groups in New England and the Riverina. This is the work of community energy advocate Embark and Starfish Enterprises, which has identified 7 different projects of at least 80kW that could be commissioned in the next 18 months.

The nation's leading rooftop solar companies today announced the formation of The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC). TASC believes anyone should have the option to switch from utility power to distributed solar power. Founding members represent the majority of the US rooftop solar market and include SolarCity, Sungevity, Sunrun, and Verengo.

TASC is committed to protecting the choice for distributed solar. Most immediately, TASC will focus on ensuring the continuation of Net Energy Metering (NEM). Currently in place in 43 states, NEM provides solar consumers with fair credit for the energy they put back on the grid, which utilities then sell to other customers. In simple terms, NEM is like rollover minutes on your cell phone bill. Monopoly utilities are trying to eliminate NEM to halt the consumer-driven popularity of rooftop solar, which is helping create thousands of local jobs around the country.

(Traverse City, Michigan) —The Traverse City Light & Power (TCL&P) Board approved the final step in implementing the community solar project at its May 14, 2013 regular meeting.

TCL&P, in partnership with Cherryland Electric Cooperative (Cherryland), is proud to offer the Solar Up North (SUN) Alliance program. The SUN Alliance provides an opportunity for residential and business customers of both utilities the ability to invest in solar energy through participation in a community solar project – the first of its kind in Michigan.

The SUN Alliance is a community-based initiative where customers of both utilities are invited to invest in a solar generation project. Those who invest in the project will receive a monthly bill credit equal to their share of the project's overall energy production, without the risk and maintenance cost involved in owning their own solar array.

This Tuesday, May 14, the Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to join the City of Santa Fe in adopting a resolution supporting the concept of community solar and directing staff to work with PNM and the PRC on a plan to install a solar farm in the Santa Fe area. This is big news for our county! Now, we'll need a big push from the community to get PNM on board.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

A note from Joy Hughes -

Now that the first solar gardens on XCEL territory are producing power, it's time to look to the future! I'll be traveling back to Colorado to attend the premiere screenings of Josh Fox's Gasland II in Boulder on Wednesday May 22 and in Colorado Springs on Thursday May 23. Get your tickets at http://gaslandmovie.com During my trip, I'll be hosting some informal gatherings for happy hour, tea, and snacks. We'll be using this time to discuss how to take community solar to the next level while keeping it real. If you'd like to attend one, please send a message to rsvp@solargardens.org - please be sure to include your name and the event you'll be attending.

Denver

Monday May 20th, 7-9 PM

Kona Grill, Cherry Creek Mall

3000 E 1st Ave

Boulder

Wednesday May 22nd, 2-4 PM

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

1770 13th St

Colorado
Springs

Thursday May 23rd, 4PM-5:30PM

Rico’s Cafe

322 1/2 N Tejon St

Salida

Friday May 24th, Noon-2PM

River’s Edge

300 W Sackett Ave.

Alamosa

Friday May 24th, 6-8PM

Milagros

529
Main St (Corner of State and Main)

Saguache

Saturday May 25th,
10:30AM-Noon

4th Street Diner

411 4th St.

Crestone

Saturday May 25th, 6-8 PM

Bliss Café

187 W Silver Ave.

Denver

Tuesday May 28th, 7-9 PM

Location TBA

Potential topics for these meetings include:Solar Gardens Institute Charter - As SGI has grown, specific roles, expectation, and democratic process have become essential. Download the proposed charter here - feel free to make comments!SGI Regional Group for Colorado - The Solar Gardens Institute started in Colorado, but has gone national and even worldwide. It's time to strengthen our roots back home.Solar and Fracking - Solar Power will reduce the total use of fossil fuels. But will high solar penetration increase the use of natural gas? Not if we do it right.Community Shared Solar Policy- I've been selected as a reviewer for the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Model Rules for Shared Renewable Energy Programs.

Solar garden participation for low income subscribers.- Five percent of solar garden capacity in Colorado is reserved for customers with incomes below 185% of the poverty line. Learn about financial models for making this possible.

Donations to SGI through the Equable Community Solar Fund are now tax deductible! Any donation of $1 or more will qualify you for SGI membership (though of course we hope you donate more than a dollar). The Community Power Network is our fiscal sponsor.Many thanks,Joy

REC
Solar, a national leader in solar electric system design and
installation, today announced the completion of a 500 kilowatt community
solar project in Boulder, Colorado. The Boulder Cowdery Meadows Solar
Array is the first community solar project completed under Xcel Energy’s
Solar*Rewards Community program, under which any utility ratepayer can
directly purchase energy from a “solar garden” and immediately save
money on monthly electricity bills. REC Solar designed and built the
array, while Clean
Energy Collective (CEC) will operate and maintain the system. REC
Solar has additional Solar*Rewards Community projects under development
and construction for completion later this year.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Joy Hughes was living in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, a place
with a “tremendous amount of solar potential,” so good that the valley’s
residents were being overwhelmed by proposals for large scale solar
power plants. One had a “field of things like radar dishes” and another
included a “600 foot tower.” The influx of outside companies seeking
solar profit led Joy to ask, “Why not just set up solar arrays that can
provide power for people in the local community and offset their
electric bills?”

The Solar Gardens Institute
was born, with a vision of helping community members pool their
resources, produce their own energy, and keep their energy dollars
local.
______________________________________________

John Farrell is a senior researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and directs its work on democratic energy.

John is best known for his vivid illustrations of the economic and
environmental benefits of local ownership of decentralized renewable
energy.

The community solar gardens
provisions require that such systems are no larger than 1 megawatt. In
addition, “The community solar garden program must be designed to offset
the energy use of not less than five subscribers in each community
solar garden program of which no single subscriber has more than a 40
percent interest,” The legislation said. Also, “The owner of the
community solar garden may be a public utility or any other entity or
organization that contracts to sell the output from the community solar
garden to the utility.” Subscribers to the garden must also purchase at
least 200 watts of the garden's generating capacity and can’t purchase
more than 120 percent of their average annual energy consumption.

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) has released a concept paper that
considers states' ability to expand options for distributed generation
(DG) technologies. Due to the rapidly growing appetite for solar and
other forms of renewable and alternative energy in the U.S., developers,
utilities and policymakers are seeking new approaches that could
appropriately value the locational benefits of DG. The 1978 federal
Public Utilities Policy Regulatory Act (PURPA) may provide a solution
that supports greater DG development close to load, where DG value is
highest.

This paper, Unlocking DG Value: A PURPA-based approach to promoting DG growth, explores
benefits that can be quantified and incorporated into the development
of PURPA-based avoided cost rates. "This approach may allow states the
flexibility to accurately reflect many of the positive contributions of
distributed generation," said Jane Weissman, president and CEO of IREC.
"IREC has been a thought leader on clean energy and policy development
for more than 30 years."

A
comprehensive PURPA-based approach to DG policy design would
incorporate many as-yet-unquantified benefits of exports to the
distribution system, including line-loss avoidance; the ability to make
smaller capacity additions that more closely follow incremental load
changes; the deferral or avoidance of utility capital expenditures; and
the environmental benefits of displacing fossil-based resources.

This paper describes
several recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decisions
that have provided the needed justification to value the benefits of DG
facilities and it discusses the advantages and disadvantages of such an
approach. The paper concludes that several considerations may need to be
addressed before PURPA could become a viable option for promoting DG
growth in many states.

This paper
essentially explores the possibility for state policymakers to
re-evaluate and revitalize PURPA as another option for the policy
toolkit," said Kevin Fox, lead author of the paper. "While there may
still be hurdles to deploying this policy option in a manner that would
support widespread DG growth, recent movement in this direction is
promising."

About IREC

The
Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is a non-profit organization
that believes clean energy is critical to achieving a sustainable and
economically strong future. To pave this clean energy path, IREC works
to expand consumer access to clean energy; generates information and
objective analysis grounded in best practices and standards; and leads
programs to build a quality clean energy workforce, including a unique
credentialing program for renewable energy and energy efficiency
training programs and instructors. Since 1982, IREC's programs and
policies have benefitted energy consumers, policymakers, utilities and
the clean energy industry. Visit www.irecusa.org

The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) has been
awarded a grant from the Michigan Energy Office, Renewable Energy Demonstration
Program to perform a Community Solar PV Garden Feasibility Study.The final report will be due in September,
2013.

It has been estimated that less than half of the homes and
businesses in Michigan are good sites for solar energy due to shading or roof
orientation.Renters and condo owners do
not own property that can be used for solar installations.Also, solar energy systems often require a
large upfront cost that makes it difficult for many homeowners, institutions,
or businesses to get involved.Dave
Konkle, Project Director for GLREA stated, “Community Solar may be a solution
to all these barriers.It is a very new
concept in the US that is getting a great deal of attention, with many states
researching barriers and introducing appropriate legislation to enable
Community Solar projects for interested citizens.”

Community Solar is defined as a solar electric or renewable
energy system that has multiple owners or shareholders that receive some
benefit because of their investment in the project.With Community Solar, the actual generation
of renewable energy does not occur at the customer’s site.Instead, the customer subscribes to a portion
of a shared facility (much like a resident may rent a plot in a community garden)
and the power generated results in the subscriber receiving their portion of
the benefit based on their investment.By building a larger scale system in an optimal sunny location, the cost
to the investor can be lower, and the benefits higher, than the typical
residential or small commercial installation.

The GLREA grant project will research and analyze various
system ownership and financing models for Community Solar projects.GLREA will partner with Shepherd Advisors to
conduct a targeted nationwide survey to identify best practices. A Michigan
survey will be conducted to provide estimates of the installed cost of solar PV
and the value of the solar energy produced. The project will identify barriers
and opportunities and research factors relevant to Community Solar including
“buy Michigan preferences,” net metering, and renewable energy
certificates.GLREA will collaborate
with the Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan Energy Office, Michigan
utilities, local governments, and interested parties to obtain input and
feedback during the project.

As part of the project, GLREA will hold a number of public
forums to inform attendees about the potential of Community Solar and obtain
feedback on support and ideas for Community Solar in Michigan. Events are already planned for Lansing in May
and at the GLREA’s “Michigan Energy Fair” in Ludington on June 7th
and 8th.

A
detailed technical report/feasibility study. GLREA will compile a wealth of
valuable information, including best practices, system and financing models,
barriers and opportunities, and other key factors. This project will enable a
variety of interested parties to develop the best possible Community Solar
projects in Michigan.

More information on the upcoming Community Solar forums, the
Michigan Energy Fair, and updated news items about Community Solar in Michigan
can be found at the GLREA website at www.GLREA.org.

How much energy in our community could be generated by solar power and what's the best way to do this?

Join us at Michigan Energy Options on May
20th as we dive into this topical issue and gain more insight into the
viability of "Community Solar"—one of the hottest topics in renewable
energy and sustainable regional planning across the country.

Are communities benefiting from the development of renewable energy in
the US? Is large scale, centralized renewable energy sustainable?
What is Energy Democracy and why is it important? These and other
topics are explored in this Spring of Sustainability collaborative roundtable on sustainable energy.

Friday, May 10, 2013

The U.S. power grid is vulnerable
to terrorist attacks, and the growing use of rooftop solar
panels will provide protection against lengthy blackouts, the
chairman of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said.

Community renewable energy has
significant political and economic benefits, but is often hindered by
five major barriers. Watch this vividly illustrated presentation to
learn how communities can overcome the barriers and advance more local
renewable energy.

On a cold December morning during a snow storm, I found myself
walking across an open field known as the Tower Road site, owned by the
City of Aurora. Surprisingly, all thoughts were focused on solar energy.

That morning, I joined researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
and representatives of Aurora to kick off the solar feasibility study
at this brownfield site. On the site walk, our team measured the solar
availability and discussed future development plans. With my focus on
land revitalization, I was excited to be working in the field in support
of this project.